Let us look at the church of Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6). Here there was ground for reproof, their works were not found

`perfect before God'. However, to those who were undefiled, promises were made, and we read:

`He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I WILL NOT BLOT OUT HIS NAME out of

the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels' (Rev. 3:5).

Again, if the accepted view of the Great White Throne is true, then this promise is gratuitous, the second death could

never happen any way, while Romans 8:38,39 remains. However difficult it may be to harmonise with the rest of

Scripture one fact emerges from these considerations, namely that the Millennial kingdom and the Great White

Throne are two parts of one whole. The Book of Life figures in the Revelation five times, thus:

A 3:5.

Promise to the overcomer `I will not blot his

name out of the book of life'.

B 13:8.

These shall worship the beast.

These shall wonder at the beast.

The book of life opened.

Those not in the book of life.

Threat to take the name out of the book of life.

To this list we might add Revelation 22:18 where the plagues recorded in this book will be added to any who add to

the things written, thus rounding off the intimate connection that exists with the earlier and closing sections of this

Another challenging passage is Revelation 21:7,8. Over against the overcomer, who is to inherit all things, is

placed a list of evils, that at first glance belongs only to the wicked, the ungodly and the unsaved. Yet remembering

what we have already seen, and observing once more that it is in contrast with the OVERCOMER, not with the average

believer, that this list is presented, perhaps the reader will hesitate to pronounce judgment until the Scriptures are

permitted to speak for themselves. Here is the list.

`The fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and

idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the

second death' (Rev. 21:8).

Can such a list have any relation with a professed believer? Before this study we might have pronounced an

unhesitating `no' but perhaps we are not quite so sure now. Let us `search and see'.

`The fearful'.- Greek deilos. This word occurs only three times in the New Testament.

`Why are ye so fearful, O ye of little faith?' (Matt. 8:26; see also Mark 4:40).

These words are addressed to the DISCIPLES. Deilia occurs but once, and it is used by Paul in his letter to Timothy

in view of the perilous position Timothy was about to step into:

`God hath not given us the spirit of FEAR ... be not ... ashamed' (2 Tim. 1:7,8).

Deiliao occurs but once, namely in John 14:27:

`Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid'.

The LXX uses deilos of Rehoboam who was young and `tender hearted' and so understood not `the children of

Belial' (2 Chron. 13:7). In like manner, and connected with the overcoming character, Deuteronomy 20:8 uses

deiliao for the soldier who is `fearful and faint-hearted'. Here therefore is proof, that the `fearful' can and does

include many of those who are nevertheless saved, disciples or servants of the Lord.